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News Roundup: Q-Tip, Michael Jackson, Tortoise

July 1, 2009

— Erstwhile Queens rapper Q-Tip’s unreleased album Kamaal/The Abstract, recorded in 2001, will finally see official release in September. The record has the former A Tribe Called Quest frontman exploring jazz and funk influences, and received generally favorable reviews before it was scrapped by Arista for being not-so-commercial. ‘Tip said in a 2004 interview, “I am really disappointed that Kamaal wasn’t released. LA Reid didn’t know what to do with it; then, three years later, they release Outkast. What Outkast is doing now, those are the kinds of sounds that are on Kamaal the Abstract. Maybe even a little more out.” The record will be released by Battery Records.

–Michael Jackson’s remains (which feels creepy writing and even creepier thinking about), will be taken to the Neverland Ranch on Thursday morning for a public viewing Friday. A 30-car motorcade will reportedly transport Jackson’s body from Los Angeles to his former Santa Barbara home/amusement park, CNN reports. [Update: The Jackson family now say this will not happen: “Plans are under way regarding a public memorial for Michael Jackson, and we will announce those plans shortly.”] Still no word on where Jackson will be buried, but his hometown of Gary, Indiana wouldn’t mind. Mayor Rudy Clay is campaigning for a Jackson museum, with his grave as the main attraction. “If they can do it for Elvis Presley in Graceland, we can do it for Michael Jackson in Gary,” Clay shamelessly told the AP. In more uplifting news, Jackson broke some records on the pop charts this week.

–Tortoise will play an extra-intimate in-store gig at Other Music in New York July 18th, three days before their CD release show at Le Poisson Rouge July 21. To get in, you need to buy the post-rock group’s album, Beacons of Ancestorship, at the store. Other Music’s Web site says: “Buy Tortoise’s new album (CD, LP or MP3) from us either at the shop or on-line, and you’ll get a free ticket to their in-store on Saturday, July 18, at 9PM. 1 ticket per purchase, limit 2 purchases per person, while supplies last.”